Community Corner
🌱 See how thousands of local kids are getting Christmas gifts this week
And check out EXIN BCS Artificial Intelligence Foundation Training in Chesapeake, VA on the Chesapeake Patch calendar
Hey hey Chesapeake! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- See how thousands of local kids are getting Christmas gifts this week
- Will Chesapeake’s new VA clinic still be fully staffed by January?
- How will Chesapeake’s new pronoun rule change classrooms now?
Also on today's calendar: Group Reflections and 5 more events.
Find out what's happening in Chesapeakefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Chesapeakefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny and not as cold, with a high of 46 and low of 28 degrees.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 55, low: 32.
- Thursday: Some sun, then turning cloudy, with a high of 64 and low of 57 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Salvation Army distributes Christmas gifts across Hampton Roads (wtkr.com) — Hundreds of Chesapeake-area families are driving through the Salvation Army’s Christmas Depot this week to pick up bags of toys, clothes, and food tailored to their children’s wish lists. With more than 3,500 families and 7,700 kids served across Hampton Roads, volunteers and donations from Angel Trees and Red Kettles are making local holiday celebrations possible. 
2. VA eliminates 25,000 unfilled positions nationwide amid Democratic criticism (wtkr.com) — Veterans in Chesapeake should watch closely as the VA scraps 25,000 long-vacant jobs nationwide while questions linger about staffing at the city’s new clinic. Virginia lawmakers previously warned the facility opened at only 25–30% staffing, and it’s unclear if the promised full operations by January 2026 are still on track.
3. Chesapeake School Board prohibits employees from asking others to use preferred pronouns (wtkr.com) — Chesapeake residents should know the School Board has voted 7-2 to bar district employees from asking students or coworkers to use pronouns that differ from their biological sex, effective immediately. Supporters framed it as avoiding pressure on staff and students, while many speakers warned it could foster a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ educators and community members.
4. I-64's next major traffic shift will stick around deep into 2026 (pilotonline.com) — Drivers in Chesapeake should know that the expanding I-64 express lane network will eventually run all the way to the I-264/I-664 interchange in the city, and a major traffic shift in Hampton is the next step. Lanes between exits 267 and 268 will move right as early as Tuesday night, with some ramp closures and suggested detours via I-664 while work continues into 2026.
5. Flock cameras lead to Chesapeake man's arrest in Rockbridge County (13newsnow.com) — A man from Chesapeake was arrested in Rockbridge County after Flock license plate cameras flagged a vehicle stolen from Virginia Beach, leading deputies to a truck stop. Authorities say he faces multiple serious charges, including abduction, vehicle theft, attempted robbery, and burglary, and credit the technology and inter-agency teamwork with safely recovering a firearm and vehicle.
📸 Around Chesapeake
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Chesapeake
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- EXIN BCS Artificial Intelligence Foundation Training in Chesapeake, VA
Regus - Chesapeake - Crossways Blvd, 1545 Crossways Blvd Suite 250, Chesapeake
9:00 am
Thursday December 18
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- City Council Meeting
Chesapeake, VA Calendar , First Floor, City Hall 306 Cedar Road , Chesapeake
6:30 pm - Naval Station Norfolk TAP - Recruitment Table (Active Duty Military Only)
Chesapeake, VA Calendar
11:00 am - Deck the Hall
Chesapeake, VA Calendar , 306 Cedar Road , Chesapeake
5:00 pm - Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Board Meeting
Chesapeake, VA Calendar , Chesapeake City Hall - City Council Chambers 306 Cedar Road , Chesapeake
6:00 pm - Chesapeake Commission on Health and Well Being
Chesapeake, VA Calendar , Department of Human Services - Chesapeake Thrives 100 Outlaw Street , Chesapeake
8:30 am - Group Reflections
Great Bridge Community Center , 212 Holt Dr , Chesapeake
9:30 am - Move and Groove
Greenbrier Library , 1214 Volvo Pkwy , Chesapeake
10:15 am
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
📣 Chesapeake Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Economic Development Authority
Portsmouth, VA Calendar , Portsmouth@work Conference room 200 High Street, Suite 201 , Portsmouth
9:00 am - Color & Calm
Main Library , 601 Court Street , Portsmouth
11:00 am - Wednesday Wordsmiths!
The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
5:00 pm - The Help Desk: 1-on-1 Computer Help by Appointment
Main Library , 601 Court Street , Portsmouth
11:00 am
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Missing cat
Our cat MaoMao has been missing since last night around 7:30. We live in the 2500 block of Chesapeake Avenue. If you live near us you probably know… (Nextdoor Portlock) - When Rebel the Cat lived outside I would feed him Wet Can Cat food as a treat.
He would only eat part of it and leave briefly only to return with nearby feral Cats. He would then sit there and watch those cats eat. He did this… (Nextdoor Indian River Park)
- Taco Bell posted a job opening for Late Night Team Member - Service Champion in Chesapeake. Apply here.
- Aramark posted a job opening for Custodial Services Worker - Chesapeake Health and Rehabili - EVS in Chesapeake. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Chesapeake here.
Ok Chesapeake! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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